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Hi Mr. Tork
I don't have a very serious question, but I would like to hear your opinion on the subject. I have 3 young children and would like to to teach them about the learning to be considerate and polite as well as being honest. What is your opinion on teaching children lessons being honest vs being polite. If my daughter Jade (our 3 year old) doesn't like her broccoli is it OK to tell her mom she hates the taste of broccoli? Does she just keep quiet and eat what mom serves her?
By the way my kids love your song "Your Auntie Grizelda".
Thank you for opinion.
Darren
Dear Darren,
For starters, I will report that my kids mom and I never told them to be polite. Because we were polite to them, they naturally said "please" and "thank you" without any extra prompting on our parts. As to broccoli, well, 3-year-olds cannot be expected to be tactful, and whether they eat it or not must be a matter of negotiation, not of coercion, I'm sure. I used to gag at the taste of Brussels sprouts, and nothing could get me to eat them. I still don't like them much.
heheheh
Peter
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Dear Peter,
I love you with all my heart- here's sending you many good, healing thoughts. I'm pulling for ya!
I'm a spiritually inclined person. I have a Master's in Nursing Education since '79. Until 18 months ago I worked three jobs. Not because I had to, but because I love my profession, I love teaching and I love helping people. I feel my life's work is/was a calling to which I had much success. I also managed to have a couple of husbands (not so successful there!), raised two talented, brilliant kids, became a Reike Master after having Ovarian cancer in the 80's. That was a real learning experience. I had no doubt I would be healed and that what I learned on that journey would be wonderful in teaching students and ministering to my patients.
18 months ago, as a result of the very high dose of radiation therapy during the cancer, I developed severe circulation problems and ended up having a leg amputated to save my life. I haven't worked since- had to give up my jobs as I spent 63 days in the hospital and the jobs had to replace me. I've had to give up nearly all my play-time activities as well. Now, on to the real problem. I am so ANGRY at this recent load of bad Karma. I realize no one is perfect but I have always tried to be a good person, I have tried to see the good in all people, I am forgiving and thankful. I can't figure out the lesson to be had in all this. My life just really sucks right now and it makes me furious. I can't even meditate anymore 'cause I just sit there seething. My prosthesis fits like crap- it's horrible. I can't seem to communicate the proper fit to the prostheticians and so that sucks, too. My question is how can I get back my peace and joy when all I hold dear, excepting my kids/grands and my music have been snatched from me? I am not depressed, not sad. I am angry!! I don't mean to be ungrateful that I am still here but I can't get past this one.
Your joyful and caring attitude really shines through and I so admire that in you. Can you give me some advice to help get me out of this rage I am feeling? I am really worried. Thank you so much for your time and wisdom you will share with me.
Sending you love-
Sherry
Dear Sherry,
I'm sorry for your situation. Let me say, tho', that I am not one of those who believes that everything is for the best. The only thing I'm sure of is that I can bring the best attitude possible to the situation. It seems to me that you believe you had a bargain with the forces of Karma, and that you feel betrayed. Betrayal is very infuriating, to be sure, but the laws of God and/or Karma are not actually known to us, merely guessed at. I've learned recently to ask myself one question: Would you rather be right or happy? I urge you to let go of what you thought was your due, and find the best way to live with what you got. There's still a lot of joy to be had regardless, I am sure.
BTW, as to the prosthesis, get an advocate, somebody who can help you get the fitting and comfort that should be available. Don't settle for distress there, for goodness sake.
Thanks for asking,
Peter
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Hi, Peter,
My name is Shirley and I am a fan of many, many, (etc.) years. I am 56 and watched you and your bandmates faithfully on Monday nights before LaughIn. LOL That dates me, doesn't it?
I have a young friend. She is 22. She found a lump in her breast and mentioned it to her grandmother. Grandma told her that she herself had had breast cancer. My friend went to the doctor and was sent for an ultrasound. Two hours later, she received a call that the doctor didn't like what he saw and told her to get a biopsy done and that she actually had two lumps. She is scheduled for the biopsy next week. Kaiser doesn't hurry often. You know as well as I do that Kaiser calling her after only 2 hours is NOT good.
My question: How do I support her and help her in these next few days? I know she must be going through hell right now. She doesn't want me to go with her to have the biopsy, but she won't be alone. I guess I just feel so helpless. I can't really do anything to help, but pray and stress out and worry. Having just gone through this yourself, you know how badly your support group must have felt. How did they help you get through your pre-surgery wait? How do you like people to support you?
Thank you so much. I wish you health.
Shirley
Dear Shirley,
I can sympathize with you, as you do with your friend. I'm amazed at people's inability to accept help, sometimes, but I know I felt much easier being of help than I did accepting it. (I imagine it's part of the self-denigrating pressure of authoritarian society.) Finally, tho', there's nothing you can do for your friend if she won't accept your company, except to wish her well. As for you, well, I can urge you not to stress and worry, these are choices, actually, and I don't think they do anybody any good. Find something to keep yourself busy, stopping occasionally to hope for the best for your friend and yourself.
Good luck,
Peter
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